APTA applauds President's transport proposal

The American Public Transportation Association late Monday released a statement from APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy, praising the six-year transportation plan announced by President Obama in his budget proposal.

"On behalf of the 1,500 members of the American Public Transportation Association, we are pleased that President Barack Obama released a six-year transportation bill that increases funding for public transportation by over 100%," Melaniphy said. "We support the efforts of the Administration to move this proposal forward because investing in public transit is essential to creating American jobs and boosting our economy.

"This proposal demonstrates that the Administration understands the important role public transportation plays in getting people to work and putting people to work. It includes a continuing commitment to high speed and intercity passenger rail, improvements to keep our systems in a state of good repair, and a focus on livable communities. The proposal includes improvements in streamlining delivery of public transit programs.

"We are committed to working with the Administration and Congress to move transportation legislation forward to create American jobs and ensure that the United States remains economically competitive," Melaniphy concluded.